Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Growing in God

Reading: Luke 2:39-40, 51

Key Verse: “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him” v.40

After the escape from Herod to Egypt recorded by Matthew, Luke records that Joseph, Mary and Jesus returned to live in Nazareth where Joseph resumed his carpentry business. Here Jesus grew both physically and spiritually. We might say that Jesus never grew in his divinity because even as a baby He was fully God and fully human. Yet as the enabling grace and favour of God rested upon Him, so Jesus grew in wisdom as He prepared Himself for the powerful but difficult ministry that lay ahead.

In Luke 4:16-17, the gospel historian records that it was the custom of Jesus to go worship His Father every week in the synagogue and when handed a scroll He found where Isaiah had prophesied of Him and read the verses out loud. We can be beset by bad habits but it is important to form good habits such as regular worship, especially with others and familiarising ourselves with Scripture. The apostle Peter explains that when we become Christians we are like newborn spiritual babies. But good habits and the grace of God will cause us to grow into mature and fruitful believers.

Prayer: Lord, as I offer myself to You, help me to grow into a mature and fruitful believer